So I get that this is a Christmas shorty but goodness that went by so fast that I felt like I had whiplash. Started out promising enough. Luce's alcohSo I get that this is a Christmas shorty but goodness that went by so fast that I felt like I had whiplash. Started out promising enough. Luce's alcoholic ex drove a car into Luce's garage and house leaving a gaping hole a week before Christmas. Desperate to find someone to fix it and that someone is his next door neighbor's son. I think they've barely said hello and one is caressing his thumb across the other's cheek while the other is gripping the other by his hip. I've read insta-lust and insta-love and it works if done well. Sadly this wasn't done well. Could have been solid had the action slowed down a bit and added another page or two to give the book some additional structure. Oh well. Still a Christmas goodie.
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So I get that this is a Christmas shorty but goodness that went by so fast that I felt like I had whiplash. Started out promising enough. Luce's alcoholic ex drove a car into Luce's garage and house leaving a gaping hole a week before Christmas. Desperate to find someone to fix it and that someone is his next door neighbor's son. I think they've barely said hello and one is caressing his thumb across the other's cheek while the other is gripping the other by his hip. I've read insta-lust and insta-love and it works if done well. Sadly this wasn't done well. Could have been solid had the action slowed down a bit and added another page or two to give the book some additional structure. Oh well. Still a Christmas goodie....more
Very enjoyable second chance romance about Mitch, a professional ballet dancer and Web, a Texas Ranger who were teenage lovers in Texas 12 years ago. Very enjoyable second chance romance about Mitch, a professional ballet dancer and Web, a Texas Ranger who were teenage lovers in Texas 12 years ago. Angst over coming out, parental rejection leads Mitch to leave town and head to NYC. Twelve years later, his personal life in NYC a mess, he is back in Texas after his father died six months ago. His car runs off the road and he is saved by Web. Like that we get so much background on our MCs in such a short book. Great secondary characters, particularly Great Aunt Mamie. But - too many corny Texas'isms. "You dang polecat." But still written well with lovely emotion and feeling.
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Very enjoyable second chance romance about Mitch, a professional ballet dancer and Web, a Texas Ranger who were teenage lovers in Texas 12 years ago. Angst over coming out, parental rejection leads Mitch to leave town and head to NYC. Twelve years later, his personal life in NYC a mess, he is back in Texas after his father died six months ago. His car runs off the road and he is saved by Web. Like that we get so much background on our MCs in such a short book. Great secondary characters, particularly Great Aunt Mamie. But - too many corny Texas'isms. "You dang polecat." But still written well with lovely emotion and feeling....more
So yet another book set in the town of Nortown, a small town in the middle of a woodsy, snowy nowhere. We see my two fav MCs from Nortown, Aiden and TSo yet another book set in the town of Nortown, a small town in the middle of a woodsy, snowy nowhere. We see my two fav MCs from Nortown, Aiden and Tristan. In this book we meet Aiden's bartender friend, Jason. Another guy from the "city" who doesn't dress for the weather. He runs into Tristan's friend, Tom. This book wasn't as smooth, in my opinion, as the first one. I could not understand why Tom was so petrified to come out. There is some allusion to problems that Tristan had when he came out but Tom is paralyzed with fear at anyone finding out he likes men. Anyway, Tom and Jason stumble into a relationship through a odd Easter celebration. We see our same quirky townspeople who are sort of like misfit toys - Jen, the two ladies who knit and the others. What saves the book is Ms. Grand's writing style. The book is decidedly weird but you have a lovely time reading about Tom and Jason.
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So yet another book set in the town of Nortown, a small town in the middle of a woodsy, snowy nowhere. We see my two fav MCs from Nortown, Aiden and Tristan. In this book we meet Aiden's bartender friend, Jason. Another guy from the "city" who doesn't dress for the weather. He runs into Tristan's friend, Tom. This book wasn't as smooth, in my opinion, as the first one. I could not understand why Tom was so petrified to come out. There is some allusion to problems that Tristan had when he came out but Tom is paralyzed with fear at anyone finding out he likes men. Anyway, Tom and Jason stumble into a relationship through a odd Easter celebration. We see our same quirky townspeople who are sort of like misfit toys - Jen, the two ladies who knit and the others. What saves the book is Ms. Grand's writing style. The book is decidedly weird but you have a lovely time reading about Tom and Jason....more
Love spoke and didn't say much - LOL! Xmas nugget about Ian and Stephan who are engaged to be married. Problem is Stephan's father does not know he's Love spoke and didn't say much - LOL! Xmas nugget about Ian and Stephan who are engaged to be married. Problem is Stephan's father does not know he's gay. His mother and sister know but not his dad and Stephan is afraid to tell him. A blizzard and the Xmas holidays make this a mushy little romance. Needed more meat on its bones, though.
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Love spoke and didn't say much - LOL! Xmas nugget about Ian and Stephan who are engaged to be married. Problem is Stephan's father does not know he's gay. His mother and sister know but not his dad and Stephan is afraid to tell him. A blizzard and the Xmas holidays make this a mushy little romance. Needed more meat on its bones, though....more
Not a holiday book, per se. It takes place during the week between Christmas and New Year's. So this is my first book with Vic and Matt so am definiteNot a holiday book, per se. It takes place during the week between Christmas and New Year's. So this is my first book with Vic and Matt so am definitely at a disadvantage. Cute, though. Our two MCs have a tradition of abstaining from sex during that week but apparently they are having trouble doing so. So cute little snapshot of the life of these guys. Will search for their other stories.
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Not a holiday book, per se. It takes place during the week between Christmas and New Year's. So this is my first book with Vic and Matt so am definitely at a disadvantage. Cute, though. Our two MCs have a tradition of abstaining from sex during that week but apparently they are having trouble doing so. So cute little snapshot of the life of these guys. Will search for their other stories....more
Uber awesome holiday read that I savored and drooled over. I re-read passages over and over they were so good. Funny, witty, written with emotional heUber awesome holiday read that I savored and drooled over. I re-read passages over and over they were so good. Funny, witty, written with emotional heft and a sense of both whimsy and gravity that worked so well. Max left Edgewood several years ago after a scandal with his father. His best friend, Hal, who still lives in Edgewood with his two girls. Hal's brother, Uncle Nicky, lives nearby and works as a cop after a harrowing time in the service. Hal's girls beg Max to visit. Max drives in a snow storm (almost obligatory in a Chrismas time romance :) ) and slides off the road. He is saved by a cop named Dominic. So many wonderful themes of family, reslience after personal trauma, discovering what you really want in life, you can go home again. Yes, these are common themes in Christmas romance but this was made so much better by the writing. "She’d given me some good tips and the occasional nudge in the right direction, and now I could swim with the sharks without looking like a tasty guppy." Of course he knew who Max was—the family name was distinctive, and being a busybody was pretty much everyone’s side hustle in this town." Max and Dominic were wonderful MCs "Be still my goddamn heart." Some hilarious throwaway lines that had me rolling on the floor laughing "...already today asking me to bring back dead pets. I’m freaking Santa, not a necromancer!” Just a really, really good book that gave me what I look for in an MM romance - left me thinking about the characters and with a goofy smile on my face.
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Uber awesome holiday read that I savored and drooled over. I re-read passages over and over they were so good. Funny, witty, written with emotional heft and a sense of both whimsy and gravity that worked so well. Max left Edgewood several years ago after a scandal with his father. His best friend, Hal, who still lives in Edgewood with his two girls. Hal's brother, Uncle Nicky, lives nearby and works as a cop after a harrowing time in the service. Hal's girls beg Max to visit. Max drives in a snow storm (almost obligatory in a Chrismas time romance :) ) and slides off the road. He is saved by a cop named Dominic. So many wonderful themes of family, reslience after personal trauma, discovering what you really want in life, you can go home again. Yes, these are common themes in Christmas romance but this was made so much better by the writing. "She’d given me some good tips and the occasional nudge in the right direction, and now I could swim with the sharks without looking like a tasty guppy." Of course he knew who Max was—the family name was distinctive, and being a busybody was pretty much everyone’s side hustle in this town." Max and Dominic were wonderful MCs "Be still my goddamn heart." Some hilarious throwaway lines that had me rolling on the floor laughing "...already today asking me to bring back dead pets. I’m freaking Santa, not a necromancer!” Just a really, really good book that gave me what I look for in an MM romance - left me thinking about the characters and with a goofy smile on my face....more
Beautiful tale about Roger and Jack who grew up in a small town in 1939. They are on the cusp of manhood when they realize they're more to each other Beautiful tale about Roger and Jack who grew up in a small town in 1939. They are on the cusp of manhood when they realize they're more to each other than just friends. Life intervenes, a horrible war and things change. They reconnect in 1945 but what do they do now? How will they be together? "For the first time, the war really was over. In that moment, it became a memory that would someday be a distant one, and I was home." This is the one of the Christmas angel books about an angel ornament that means so much to those who hold it. Lovely writing, as always, from Ms. Witt.
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Beautiful tale about Roger and Jack who grew up in a small town in 1939. They are on the cusp of manhood when they realize they're more to each other than just friends. Life intervenes, a horrible war and things change. They reconnect in 1945 but what do they do now? How will they be together? "For the first time, the war really was over. In that moment, it became a memory that would someday be a distant one, and I was home." This is the one of the Christmas angel books about an angel ornament that means so much to those who hold it. Lovely writing, as always, from Ms. Witt....more
So I am continually bowled over by Holly Day's versatility. This one is a combination of mystery, romantic suspense and the holidays with a somewhat oSo I am continually bowled over by Holly Day's versatility. This one is a combination of mystery, romantic suspense and the holidays with a somewhat off the page focus on abuse. Rafael has been hiding from Blake for two years. He's moved, changed his name and limits his outside activities. His neighbor, Ashton, a cop who is recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty, starts receiving oddly worded Xmas cards that appear to be meant for Rafael. I read another of Ms. Day's books with a romantic suspense-like plot and had issues with it. This, however, was done well. Way to build the mystery and suspense! Every time someone knocked on the door, I jumped in my seat! I was a little worried about the speed of the development of the relationship between Rafael and Ash but it sort of worked. But a lovely holiday book with a satisfying and realistic HEA. From Ash "Peace settled in his chest. It was warm and cheerful in the house, and he was with the people he loved the most. Life was good."
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So I am continually bowled over by Holly Day's versatility. This one is a combination of mystery, romantic suspense and the holidays with a somewhat off the page focus on abuse. Rafael has been hiding from Blake for two years. He's moved, changed his name and limits his outside activities. His neighbor, Ashton, a cop who is recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty, starts receiving oddly worded Xmas cards that appear to be meant for Rafael. I read another of Ms. Day's books with a romantic suspense-like plot and had issues with it. This, however, was done well. Way to build the mystery and suspense! Every time someone knocked on the door, I jumped in my seat! I was a little worried about the speed of the development of the relationship between Rafael and Ash but it sort of worked. But a lovely holiday book with a satisfying and realistic HEA. From Ash "Peace settled in his chest. It was warm and cheerful in the house, and he was with the people he loved the most. Life was good."...more
Lovely little Christmas nugget about Colt, grumpy because he is spending Christmas away from his family in Texas freezing in frigid Michigan. He findsLovely little Christmas nugget about Colt, grumpy because he is spending Christmas away from his family in Texas freezing in frigid Michigan. He finds a lost dog, Roger, who awakens Colt's Christmas spirit. Very cute.
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Lovely little Christmas nugget about Colt, grumpy because he is spending Christmas away from his family in Texas freezing in frigid Michigan. He finds a lost dog, Roger, who awakens Colt's Christmas spirit. Very cute....more
Books that focus on the rejection of a child because of sexual identity just gut me. Like how can you not love your child just because he is gay. ChadBooks that focus on the rejection of a child because of sexual identity just gut me. Like how can you not love your child just because he is gay. Chad is that poor child. He is secretly in love with Joaquin "Joy," the guy who cuts his hair. He blurts out to Joy that he has to tell his family he's gay. Things don't go well and we fast forward to Chad living with Joy. Dealing with Joy's ribald hair stylist friends has Chad freaking out. But as with all of these lovely Christmas goodies, it ends and puts a goofy smile on your face.
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Books that focus on the rejection of a child because of sexual identity just gut me. Like how can you not love your child just because he is gay. Chad is that poor child. He is secretly in love with Joaquin "Joy," the guy who cuts his hair. He blurts out to Joy that he has to tell his family he's gay. Things don't go well and we fast forward to Chad living with Joy. Dealing with Joy's ribald hair stylist friends has Chad freaking out. But as with all of these lovely Christmas goodies, it ends and puts a goofy smile on your face....more
So the blurb seems to indicate that the MCs in this book were in another book - which I can't find. Anyway, another little oddity from Ms. Lea. In theSo the blurb seems to indicate that the MCs in this book were in another book - which I can't find. Anyway, another little oddity from Ms. Lea. In the beginning, we meet Mica, who I believe ends a relationship and is now rather lonely. He celebrates Xmas with a sad little tree that seems reminiscent of Charlie Brown's threadbare tree. Then we are moved to present day and he's married to a wealthy rancher, Forrest. But Mica still has the sad tree. Just felt like something was missing between Mica's breakup and his marriage to Forrest. I did like the issues related to the tree. So much of our past informs our present and those possessions we drag from place to place have meaning that people don't often understand.
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So the blurb seems to indicate that the MCs in this book were in another book - which I can't find. Anyway, another little oddity from Ms. Lea. In the beginning, we meet Mica, who I believe ends a relationship and is now rather lonely. He celebrates Xmas with a sad little tree that seems reminiscent of Charlie Brown's threadbare tree. Then we are moved to present day and he's married to a wealthy rancher, Forrest. But Mica still has the sad tree. Just felt like something was missing between Mica's breakup and his marriage to Forrest. I did like the issues related to the tree. So much of our past informs our present and those possessions we drag from place to place have meaning that people don't often understand....more
I always have to tiptoe into Amy Lane's books. I never quite know what I'll get - her super sweet, quirky stories with engaging MCs or the over the toI always have to tiptoe into Amy Lane's books. I never quite know what I'll get - her super sweet, quirky stories with engaging MCs or the over the top drama with guys deep in despair or even the books where she trots out insulting stereotypes. Happily, this fell into the super sweet and quirky category. Hank is caring for his niece, Josie, and is trying to be a good guardian. To deal with stress, he NEEDS to work out. His gym has a daycare and a staff person, Justin, who is great with kids but Hank considers him a drama queen with the squealing and the swishing. In order to make Josie's Christmas special, Hank somehow enlists Justin's help. Lots of lovely emotion and sweetness - that scene with the dollhouse was the best! Perfect Christmas story.
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I always have to tiptoe into Amy Lane's books. I never quite know what I'll get - her super sweet, quirky stories with engaging MCs or the over the top drama with guys deep in despair or even the books where she trots out insulting stereotypes. Happily, this fell into the super sweet and quirky category. Hank is caring for his niece, Josie, and is trying to be a good guardian. To deal with stress, he NEEDS to work out. His gym has a daycare and a staff person, Justin, who is great with kids but Hank considers him a drama queen with the squealing and the swishing. In order to make Josie's Christmas special, Hank somehow enlists Justin's help. Lots of lovely emotion and sweetness - that scene with the dollhouse was the best! Perfect Christmas story....more
Uber yummy shorty about a fire marshal, Bryce and Noah, a single father. Bryce has returned to rural Kansas after a breakup. Then his mom dies. His moUber yummy shorty about a fire marshal, Bryce and Noah, a single father. Bryce has returned to rural Kansas after a breakup. Then his mom dies. His mom's friend talks him into taking over his mom's job - writing the Dear Ruth column for the local newspaper. Bryce has been eyeing his sexy neighbor for a few weeks. Noah moved to Kansas from California with his young daughter. Bryce and Noah finally meet then circle each other for weeks. Loved the small town feel of this while Bryce and Noah are dealing with their issues. Filled with emotion, love, lots of humor and two great MCs. Another goodie from the Advent series that was languishing on my Kindle for years. Love that you can read these to get a snippet of an author's style and decide if you want more. Great book!
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Uber yummy shorty about a fire marshal, Bryce and Noah, a single father. Bryce has returned to rural Kansas after a breakup. Then his mom dies. His mom's friend talks him into taking over his mom's job - writing the Dear Ruth column for the local newspaper. Bryce has been eyeing his sexy neighbor for a few weeks. Noah moved to Kansas from California with his young daughter. Bryce and Noah finally meet then circle each other for weeks. Loved the small town feel of this while Bryce and Noah are dealing with their issues. Filled with emotion, love, lots of humor and two great MCs. Another goodie from the Advent series that was languishing on my Kindle for years. Love that you can read these to get a snippet of an author's style and decide if you want more. Great book!...more
How interesting. Most if not all of the books by this author are holiday themed short stories/novellas. Anyway, this was ok. I don't know much about tHow interesting. Most if not all of the books by this author are holiday themed short stories/novellas. Anyway, this was ok. I don't know much about trucking so was lost when the MCs used trucker lingo - what's a bobtail?! I do know what a CB radio is but that's about it. Eddie and Colton met when Eddie was taking a trucker training course given by Colton. They had a fling but then Eddie finished the course and took to the road. Eddie gets melancholy as Christmas approaches and reaches out to Colton. It's an ok bit of fluff without much meat. Most exciting part of the book was the accident.
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How interesting. Most if not all of the books by this author are holiday themed short stories/novellas. Anyway, this was ok. I don't know much about trucking so was lost when the MCs used trucker lingo - what's a bobtail?! I do know what a CB radio is but that's about it. Eddie and Colton met when Eddie was taking a trucker training course given by Colton. They had a fling but then Eddie finished the course and took to the road. Eddie gets melancholy as Christmas approaches and reaches out to Colton. It's an ok bit of fluff without much meat. Most exciting part of the book was the accident....more
Hmmm. This was decidedly weird. Caleb and Quinn are newly married and this is their first Christmas as a married couple. They want to get each other tHmmm. This was decidedly weird. Caleb and Quinn are newly married and this is their first Christmas as a married couple. They want to get each other the perfect gift. I did like the merging of cultures - Quinn is Native American and Caleb is Norwegian but found the story to be a little stiff. There are also cases where it's a little repetitive. We learn multiple times that Wisconsin is home a lots of Norwegians. I liked the professions - Quinn is a casino dealer in a Native American-owned casino and Caleb is a surgical nurse. Unique! But felt the way the story was told was disjointed.
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Hmmm. This was decidedly weird. Caleb and Quinn are newly married and this is their first Christmas as a married couple. They want to get each other the perfect gift. I did like the merging of cultures - Quinn is Native American and Caleb is Norwegian but found the story to be a little stiff. There are also cases where it's a little repetitive. We learn multiple times that Wisconsin is home a lots of Norwegians. I liked the professions - Quinn is a casino dealer in a Native American-owned casino and Caleb is a surgical nurse. Unique! But felt the way the story was told was disjointed....more
Deeply emotional and uber sexy. I've read many of N. Iris' books and they range from the very gentle, low heat books with barely any kissing to the blDeeply emotional and uber sexy. I've read many of N. Iris' books and they range from the very gentle, low heat books with barely any kissing to the blisteringly erotic. When I started seeing words like "cum" in this book, I knew I was in for a rollicking ride. I loved it!! The author combines the lava-hot sexual chemistry between the MCs with sweet romance like few authors can do. Jona and Philippe are fxxk buddies but like so many of the books in Romancelandia, develop feelings. How inconvenient! Oh this was so wonderful. Stellar writing that captures the backstory for each MC in just a few sentences. So much captured in these short pages and a wonderful bonus in Philippe's grandmother. Brava Ms. Iris!!...more
Super sexy and engaging little S. Lane story about Malcolm and Dusty, friends since junior high. Malcolm has a boyfriend, Jordan, who doesn't treat MaSuper sexy and engaging little S. Lane story about Malcolm and Dusty, friends since junior high. Malcolm has a boyfriend, Jordan, who doesn't treat Malcolm very well. After the ultimate betrayal, Malcolm has no place to go, no job. What is he going to do? Dusty will help. Great incorporation of multicultural characters. Done well. ...more
So I jumped into this without having read any of the other books in the series. It was fine! There is reference to some characters clearly introduced So I jumped into this without having read any of the other books in the series. It was fine! There is reference to some characters clearly introduced earlier in the series but I had no trouble following the story. Very cute story about Liam, a fairly new pastor at a church in Snow Lake who is preparing for a Christmas performance with kids from the church, and Phineas, a friend whose twin, Paul, was featured in book 5.5. Phineas is helping Liam paint the props for the performance and both are interested in each other but unsure the other is gay. Meanwhile, there is someone hiding in the nativity scene that is displayed in the front of the church. Nicely written tale about found family, the meaning of Christmas and hot chocolate! ...more
This simmered at a 3 throughout the book. Cam and Joe's chemistry didn't connect for me. It was always just out of reach. They were cute together, thoThis simmered at a 3 throughout the book. Cam and Joe's chemistry didn't connect for me. It was always just out of reach. They were cute together, though, if you can call a 6'3" bear of a man cute - lol. So both are rather jaded and dislike the holidays, largely as a result of their past. Cam, in particular, due to his loss of family. They meet when Cam buys a large somewhat ramshackle home in picturesque Vermont. Joe is hired as a contractor to do some repairs. Very likeable secondary characters work to get both of them in the Christmas spirit. Like the Grinch, they find their inner Santa, and find themselves decorating trees, playing in the snow, etc. There is also a bit of kink introduced into their relationship, that to me, didn't fit. Just seemed out of the blue rather than a natural extension of their smexy times. I did really like the end. Left me with a smile. So a sweet little holiday story that at times was rather meh....more
So many things bothered me about this but I think the most jarring is the fact that David and Andrew went from zero to 60 within about 24 hours. I canSo many things bothered me about this but I think the most jarring is the fact that David and Andrew went from zero to 60 within about 24 hours. I can usually do insta-love but it has to be done well. This insta-everything was compounded by something that I'll spoiler tag. (view spoiler)[David has picked up a man who was homeless and has unprotected sex with him - what?! In fact, the word 'condom' does not appear anywhere in the book (hide spoiler)]. The story does improve, somewhat, particularly when the plot focuses on David's relationships with his adult kids and the difficulty of accepting a parent who says he is gay after having been married to their mother until her death. Is everything they believed a lie? The family dynamics were well conveyed. Then there are some cringey bits. Lots of descriptions of "copious amounts of cum." "We were both flowing with ample amounts of pre-cum, which I used to lubricate our penises..." All I could do was picture a faucet - lol! So, all in all, a rather uneven read. Not sure I can take on the other books in the series!...more
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